Slider



Nov. 15, 1966 R. B. HOWELL SLIDER Filed April 26, 1965 IN VENTOR. fioaser. HOWELL United States Patent This invention relates to slide fasteners or zippers of the concealed, seam or invisible type. More particular- 1y, it concerns pull tabs and their related cooperating slide fastener components, and an arrangement of such components which permits the pull tab to be moved to a concealed position behind the slide fastener and garment material to which it is secured, both during and at the conclusion of the closing run of the slider up the chains of fastener elements or links.

The purpose of this invention is to provide an invisible or seam type slide fastener having a pull tab which may be moved, for example, from a more accessible and visible outer garment side of the zipper or slide fastener assembly to an inner garment side, following its partial or completed closing run along the chain of links to cause a disappearance of such pull tab. Such disappearance is desirable to improve aesthetic appearances of garments and particularly ladies apparel. Moreover, a disappearance capability places a pull tab in a protected location until needed. Such pull tab protection is especially desirable on sport clothes. Also on products such as luggage, such protection could have dual objectives of avoiding damage to the fastener and perhaps forestalling or delaying any opening by a thief.

A preferred embodiment of this disappearing pull tab operating an invisible or seam zipper is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an enlarged perspective partial view of a garment showing a portion of its exterior Where an invisible or seam zipper terminates, the joined garment portions at their top being slightly separated to show portions of the slide assembly, and some other portions such as the disappearing pull tab being indicated by dotted lines;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged perspective partial view of the garment of FIGURE 1 showing a portion of its interior where the invisible or seam zipper terminates, illustrating a disappearing pull tab at the conclusion of its slide chain closing run but before its concealment;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged composite perspective view of various components of the disappearing zipper pull tab slide fastener assembly; with some components being assembled and others spaced apart for assembly; and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged partial section view taken near the center line at a closed end of a slide fastener, with dotted lines indicating various en route positions of a disappearing zipper pull tab during its movement to a concealed position which is shown in part in full lines.

FIGURE 5 is a view showing a modified form of a ring.

There are and will be many uses for this illustrated embodiment and other similar embodiments of these invisible or seam zippers with disappearing pull tabs. It now appears, however, that a motivating reason for using the invention will be to improve appearance of ladies garments. For when a disappearing pull tab is combined with an invisible zipper, substantially complete invisibility of a slide fastener assembly is obtained. Such a complete invisible appearance matches the appearance of a neatly sewn seam.

This sought-after, desirable fashionable objective is illustrated in FIGURE 1, wherein a partial view of a *garmeat is shown. On the exterior of this garment, an

invisible zipper terminates and its disappearing zipper pull tab has been concealed by retraction inside the garment 10. There remains a fabric seam line 12 along the length of the potential opening, except for a very short last increment of distance where a portion of zipper lock ing pawl is seen of the otherwise invisible zipper having such a disappearing tab. The wearer of the garment ultimately closes together these materials above the locking pawl portion with a hookeyelet or similar fastener (not shown). In FIGURE 1, however, the materials are illustrated unfastened and spaced apart at this location for illustrative purposes.

In FIGURE 2, the opposite side or inside of garment 10 is illustrated where invisible zipper 16 terminates. Disappearing pull tab 14 and its connecting loop or ring 20, in this FIGURE 2, are shown in their pulling and closing position. This FIGURE 2, serves to indicate how many components of the zipper 16 must be formed so the pull tab 14 and ring 20 can move freely to eventually clear all obstructions during retraction.

Yet all the components shown resemble in some measure and function basically in the same way as similar components do in invisible zippers heretofore known. There still remains a requirement for a slider or operator having a back plate and its associated link guiding channels. The channels are flared in part where the slide has a central upstanding portion on the back plate to guide the links during closing of the zipper. This central portion has a link separator to so function during opening of the zipper. Also the central portion supports the needed spring biased chain locking pawl which together with the central portion forms confining structure to control the ring and consequently the tab.

The slider 30 can also be described as having a stem end portion including a lipped channel (elements 44 and the inter-connecting part of the back panel of slider 30), and a branched end portion (divergent lipped branch channels 42 and element 48). Also, element 48 may be termed an island separator.

The modifications undertaken to such components of this invention involve added and changed portions to insure retraction of tab 14 and ring 20 to attain the overall invisible or concealment objective of slide fastener 16. In this zipper and in previous invisible zippers substantially all zipper components project away from the inside surfaces of joined tape, garment, fabric, or other material portions 24, 26. Therefore in regard to this zipper which is completely invisible, having a disappearing tab, not only is loop or ring 20 especially formed for clearance purposes during retraction or overthrow of tab 14, but also slider 30 is complementary contoured to mate with ring 20. In this way, disappearing pull tab 14 is not hindered by any blocking position of ring 20 during their rotative placement inside garment 10. At the conclusion of their tucking away, rotation, overthrow or retraction in their disappearance motion, pull tab 14 is moved into parallel contact with back plate 28 of slider 30, as its eyelet 32 accommodates its further pivoting about portion 34 of ring 20.

Such parallel contact of pull tab 14 with slider or operator 30 is possible because complementary ring contouring structures or concave receiving structures 36 are formed on slider 30 in its back plate 28 to accommodate connecting ring 20. Such formation is located where links or teeth 38 of chain 40 are received in angular off set or flared entrance receiving structures 42 of link guiding channels 44. These channels 44 with the back plate 28 form the outer boundaries of slide assembly 22.

As viewed in FIGURE 2, these ring contoured receiving portions, rests, supports, or guides 36 are formed where central raised portion 48 of slider 30 continues on between flared receivers 42. Such continuing central portion 48 is one of the structures which serve to position and control ring 20 during its retraction.

Necessarily, in controlling ring 20 central portion 48 extends considerably beyond the commencement of flared channels 42 and back plate 23. By having such an extension central portion 48 offers no restriction to the overthrow or retraction of ring 20 and pull tab 14. Also by having the cooperating arrangement of a reducing height or ramp section 72, gullet or turn away section 74 and bifurcated hook section 50, central portion 48 offers cam guidance to ring 20 and pull tab 14.

The other structure which serves to control and to position ring 20 is chain locking pawl 52. It also is necessarily extended and made slightly longer than central portion 48. Moreover, it includes a structure 64 which cooperates with ram 72 and gullet 74 in forming an eyelet 70 to confine and to guide ring 20 and consequently tab 32.

Pawl 52 is mounted to an upstanding bifurcated hook 50 formed on slider 30 just above the gullet or turn around 74 of central portion 48. This mounting location is in advance of the entry 76 to flared channels 42 making possible retraction of pull tab 14 as illustrated in FIGURE 4.

The mounting of pawl 52 is substantially as undertaken 'in making invisible zippers heretofore known which do not have disappearing tabs. The pawl 52 is mounted to bifurcation 50 at this raised offset mounting location or structure by a pivot pin 54. It is constantly biased to lock the chain by compressed coiled spring 56 interfitted between the pawl 52- and slider 30. Spring 56 is positioned in central portion 48 of slider 30 as one of its ends is placed in hole 58. This hole 58 in central portion 48 is located beyond the pin receiving holes 62 in offset bifurcated structure 50. Therefore, as locking pawl 52 is mounted, when pivot pin 54 is passed through holes 62 and pawl hole 60, the other end of spring 56 is restricted. Such restriction results because there is a spring retaining structure 59 on pawl 52 which is substantially aligned with the spring receiving hole 58 in the slider 30. Therefore after assembly retainer 59 and hole 58 cooperate to controllably position coil spring 56.

Once confined by such pawl to slide assembly, spring 56 remains in place for locking pawl 52 isrestricted in its arcuate movement upon contact with chain 40 before any sufficient spring release clearance can be established.

Rotation of the pawl 52 in the opposite sense, when compression of coiled spring 56 occurs, during unlocking and unloading slide fastener 16 is limited as the self contained stop 68 on pawl 52 contacts slider 30 adjacent spring receiving hole 58. This stop 68 also forms part of the spring retaining structure 59.

Whatever clearance is created between locking point 53 on pawl 52 and links 38 of chain 40 is blocked adjacent thereto by a pawl point guiding and blocking abutment 66. The latter abutment 66 is located on central body 48 at its terminal end in the interior of slider 30. As indicated in FIGURE 4, abutment 66 is in a position to guide chain locking pawl 52 into an interference contact with links 38 of chain 40. Also abutment 66 is sufficiently upstanding from slider 30 to maintain an overlapping relationship with pawl 52 at its wedge end 53.

The ring confining side of abutment 66 is sloped serving as a cam 76 to guide the ring 20 and its pull tab,14 into effective contact with pawl 52 during opening of the zipper 16. This positioning of ring 20 on pawl 52 insures immediate and continuing unlocking of zipper 16 as pawl 52 pivots clear of chain 40 and remains so until pull tab 14 is released.

Such zipper opening positioning of ring 20 and pull tab 14 is similar to such positioning which occurs during operation of invisible zippers which are not equipped with disappearing pu l t bs. .It is in regard to zipper closing positioning of ring 20 and pull tab 14 that these cooperating components are made and positioned differently as has been previously indicated and as will be summarized.

In regard to central portion 48, between its abutment 66 and its bifurcated hook 50, there is the sloping cam surface or ramp 72. Near abutment 66, ramp 72 guides ring 20 into cam 76 and on into contact with pawl 52 upon and during opening of invisible zipper 16. Near hook or mounting 50, ramp 72 guides ring 20 into gullet or turn away cam 74 upon and during closing of invisible zipper 16 and retraction of disappearing pull tab 14. At all times, there is present cam structure 64 on pawl 52 to assist in confining and controlling ring 20 and consequently in controlling tab 14. Ring 20 is always confined within the resulting eyelet cam structure 7 0.

In this disappearing tab embodiment of an invisible zipper this resulting eyelet 70 is substantially elongated and extended beyond the entrances 76 of flared channels 42 to insure that ring 20 and pull tab 14 can be tucked away. Both central portion 48 and pawl 52 are elongated to place turn around cam 74 beyond these entrances 76 of channels 42.

The size of connecting loop or ring 21) is large enough to insure its unobstructed passage over these terminal portions of elongated central portion 48 and elongated pawl 52. Yet the size of ring 20 is restrictive enough to avoid interference with zipper stops 80 and to position pull tab 14 adjacent to back plate 28 of slider 30.

Such overall disappearing motion of tab 14 is depicted in FIGURE 4 with various positions being shown in dotted lines. The disappearing position, however, is depicted in solid lines. The motion arrows in FIGURE 4, indicate retraction of disappearing pull tab 14 and its ring 20 from the outer side to the inner side of garment 10 thereby providing an invisible zipper fastener having a pull tab which is manipulated to disappear behind materials leaving essentially only a seam line to be seen.

In FIGURE 5 is shown a modified form of ring 90 which is substantially annular as compared to the more rectangular shape of ring 20. When pull tab 14 or ring has been moved to the fully closed position of the chain, ring 90 may be radially swung from the outside to the inside, as described for ring 20. Also due to the annular shape of ring 90, the tab may be disposed to one side or the other of the chain and, in effect, laterally rolled from the outside to the inside or vice versa. This is a convenience to users, particularly where the slide fastener is installed in a placket of a tight fitting garment, or as a rear closure to a dress opening at the nick where the operation may be performed close to the skin.

Also, of course, by using pliable or non-rigid materials in pull tabs their retraction is also accomplished readily into the interiors of garments. Upon proper selection of a more pliable material the functions of the ring 20 and pull tab 14 may be combined. This can eliminate the necessity of ring 20 as separate intermediate link. These modifications like others are possible in accomplishing the purpose and objectives of this invention in concealing the pull tabs.

I claim:

1. In a concealed slide fastener, a slider having a stem end portion of lipped channel form, a branched end portion of lipped channel form including an island separator and a pair of lipped branch channels extending away from said stem channel along divergent paths on opposite sides of the separator, said separator including a generally hook shaped end portion that projects outwardly beyond the free ends of the branch channels, then extends forwardly, and then back towards the slider proper, thereby defining an inner hook area that lies beyond the free ends of said branch channels, a locking pawl pivotally connected to the separator, closely adjacent the free terminus of said hook portion, and extending thence inwardly in spaced juxtaposed relationship with said separator, and then turning inwardly and somewhat normally towards the slider, a connecting ring normally encircling said pawl and of a size large enough to clear the said hook portion of the slider, with the said inner hook area extending a suflicient distance outwardly beyond the free ends of the branch channels, so that the ring can be moved around the said hook portion and set into a substantially concealed attitude wherein a portion of it is engaged in said inner hook area and a diametrically opposed portion is positioned rearwardly of the slider; and a pull tab pivotally connected to said ring and positionable rearwardly of the slider in juxtaposition with the back side thereof, when said ring is set into the said substantially concealed attitude.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the branched end portion of the slider includes a back panel which is contoured to form concave cavities on both sides of said slider hook portion, for receiving circumferentially spaced apart portions of said ring when the ring is in said substantially concealed attitude.

3. An invisible zipper assembly having a pull tab which may be positioned on either side of the zipper assembly, comprising:

(a) multiple interlocking chain teeth alternately secured to respective abuttable materials;

(b) a slider having a back plate, a pair of opposed guiding channels on said back plate, for guiding said teeth during coupling and decoupling thereof, said channels extending in substantial parallelism throughout a portion of the slider, and flaring apart throughout the remainder of the slider, and a central island member commencing between the flared channels, said central island member having a cam portion to separate the chain teeth during opening of the zipper,

an elongated member having a part extending longitudinally from said island member to a location outwardly beyond the free ends of the flared channels;

(c) a spring biased pawl pivotally mounted to said elongated member, and having an elongated portion co-extensive with at least a part of said elongated member;

((1) a connecting ring positioned by said pawl, and of a size large enough to move along said elongated portion and said elongated member, when pivotally moved from one side to the other side of the zipper assembly; and

(e) a pull tab pivotally secured to the connecting ring by an eyelet structure, and movable with the ring from one side to the other side of the zipper assembly, and being concealed from sight when it is moved to a position behind the slider.

4. The invisible zipper assembly, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the back plate of the slider, on each side of said central island member and in the region of the flanged channels, is contoured to form concave receiving cavities into which portions of the ring are received when the pull tab is in its concealed position adjacent the back side of the slider.

References Cited by the Examiner 2/1961 France. 4/1957 Italy.

BERNARD A. GELAK, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A CONCEALED SLIDE FASTENER, A SLIDER HAVING A STEM END PORTION OF LIPPED CHANNEL FORM, A BRANCHED END PORTION OF LIPPED CHANNEL FORM INCLUDING AN ISLAND SEPARATOR AND A PAIR OF LIPPED BRANCH CHANNELS EXTENDING AWAY FROM SAID STEM CHANNEL ALONG DIVERGENT PATHS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE SEPARATOR, SAID SEPARATOR INCLUDING A GENERALLY HOOK SHAPED END PORTION THAT PROJECTS OUTWARDLY BEYOND THE FREE ENDS OF THE BRANCH CHANNELS, THEN EXTENDS FORWARDLY, AND THEN BACK TOWARDS THE SLIDER PROPER, THEREBY DEFINING AN INNER HOOK AREA THAT LIES BEYOND THE FREE ENDS OF SAID BRANCH CHANNELS, A LOCKING PAWL PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE SEPARATOR, CLOSELY ADJACENT THE FREE TERMINUS OF SAID HOOK PORTION, AND EXTENDING THENCE INWARDLY IN SPACED JUXTAPOSED RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID SEPARATOR, AND THEN TURNING INWARDLY AND SOMEWHAT NORMALLY TOWARDS THE SLIDER, A CONNECTING RING NORMALLY ENCIRCLING SAID PAWL AND OF A SIZE LARGE ENOUGH TO CLEAR THE SAID HOOK PORTION OF THE SLIDER, WITH THE SAID INNER HOOK AREA EXTENDING A SUFFICIENT DISTANCE OUTWARDLY BEYOND THE FREE ENDS OF THE BRANCH CHANNELS, SO THAT THE RING CAN BE MOVED AROUND THE SAID HOOK PORTION AND SET INTO A SUBSTANTIALLY CONCEALED ATTITUDE WHEREIN A PORTION OF IT IS ENGAGED IN SAID INNER HOOK AREA AND A DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED PORTION IS POSITIONED REARWARDLY OF THE SLIDER; AND A PULL TAB PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID RING ANS POSITIONABLE REARWARDLY OF THE SLIDER IN JUXTAPOSITION WITH THE BACK SIDE THEREOF, WHEN SAID RING IS SET INTO THE SAID SUBSTANTIALLY CONCEALED ATTITUDE. 